Disappointed sighs were heard throughout the public gallery as councillors agreed to 75 more houses to be built in Stoke Golding.

Councillors on the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council planning committee, which met on Tuesday evening, approved an outline application for access only, for a residential development on land off Hinckley Road.

The controversial scheme, put forward by applicant Morris Homes, could include 45 open market dwellings and 30 affordable homes.

The access will be from Hinckley Road to the east of the site. Preliminary layouts show the site will include a mix of properties with formal and informal play space.

No objections to the proposal were raised from the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water or Highway but Stoke Golding Parish Council, Sutton Cheney Parish Council, Stoke Golding Heritage Group, MP David Tredinnick and county councillor Ivan Ould all said the development was not appropriate.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Mayes, who was against the application, said: “This development should be built on a brownfield site.

“Local views are overwhelmingly against this development going ahead.

“There has been no consultation from Morris Homes.”

Councillor David Bill (Lib Dem, Clarendon) said he thought the area may have some historical importance. He said: “We know know the Battle of Bosworth was fought within a few hundred yards of Stoke Golding church.

“This site must be very close. I think the historical interest of this site seems to be dismissed.

“There is a lot of interest in the battle at the moment - especially with everything coming out about Richard III.”

Speaking on behalf on Morris Homes, Mr Robson promised that a full archeological survey of the site would be carried out before any building work started.

Cllr Reg Ward (Con, Ambein) said he didn’t think that this site was appropriate for the development and said that Morris Homes should have held a consultation.

He said: “This plan has no justification. It’s premature and is completely without merit. We do not want it and we do not need it.

“I think we could win this one if it went to appeal.”

A proposal was put forward by Cllr Ward to turn down the application but there was not enough votes to refuse it.

Later a vote was held to give planning permission with nine councillors voting for the move, six refusing and one abstaining.